Find Cancer Early information for GPs and Primary Health Nurses
In Australia, over 75 per cent of cancers first present in general practice as a result of symptoms.
General Practitioners (GPs) play a key role in the early detection of cancer, however they can often experience challenges in early diagnosis of cancers;
- GPs will only see five to 10 new cases of cancers (excluding skin cancers) among several thousand consultations per year
- Most symptoms of cancer have more common benign causes
- Cancers in general practice often present initially with more subtle non-specific symptoms.
Find Cancer Early aims to promote earlier detection and diagnosis of the five most common cancers in Western Australia; skin, prostate, breast, bowel, and lung.
To learn about ‘Find Cancer Early: A Guide for General Practitioners’ and how to utilise it in your practice, view the video below and access the Guide in the below list of resources
The guide is formatted as follows:
- Symptoms that best predict cancer
- Positive Predictive Value (PPV) tables for prostate, lung, colorectal and breast cancers:
- PPVs quantify the probability of cancer for individual and pairs of clinical features (in patients over the age of 40).
- The risk values represent the proportion of people, out of 100 with individual or combinations of clinical features, who will have an underlying cancer.
- The colour codes and associated risk values can help support decisions about investigation and referral, and are designed to be used alongside clinical judgement and professional experience.
- Probabilities highlighted in red are greater than 5%; urgent referral should be considered.
- Probabilities highlighted in orange are between 2 – 5% and probably warrant prompt investigation.
- Probabilities highlighted in yellow are between 1 – 2% and require follow-up and possible investigation to rule out any underlying serious condition.
- Probabilities highlighted in white are less than 1%.
- Risk factors
- Implications for practice
- Diagnostic pathways
- Referral criteria
- Skin cancer guide includes: skin self-examination, signs of skin cancer and 7-point checklist.
Program History
Find Cancer Early is an evidence-based symptom awareness campaign for regional Western Australians. Visit the Program History page to learn more about the origins of this program.
Find Cancer Early resources for GPs and Nurses
Find Cancer Early: A Guide for General Practitioners
‘Find Cancer Early: A Guide for General Practitioners' is a tool designed to assist WA GPs in the early diagnosis of patients with prostate, lung, colorectal, breast and skin cancer. This resource uses evidence-based positive predictive value (PPV) tables that highlight the clinical features that best predict cancer. This guide is not intended to replace clinical judgment, the need for a thorough patient and family history, or the importance of assessing an individual’s risk factors. This guide was updated in April 2021.
Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers: A Guide For Medical Practitioners
This resource provides an overview of types of skin cancer, diagnosis and treatment options.
General Practice Education Project
The Cancer Council WA General Practice Education Project delivers a range of cancer education activities to general practices in Western Australia. The project aims to ensure that general practitioners, practice nurses and other allied health professionals working in primary care have access to education, services and resources that facilitate improved knowledge in the areas of prevention and early detection of cancer in the community.
Resources and links for Health Professionals
Cancer Council WA has identified a number of resources relevant to health professionals, on a range of cancer topics and areas.
Find Cancer Early GP Education Videos
Breast Cancer GP Education Video
Presented by: Professor Christobel Saunders, Professor and Head Division of Surgery, UWA Medical School
Colorectal Cancer GP Education Video
Presented by: Dr Hooi Ee, Gastroenterologist, Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital
Lung Cancer GP Education Video
Presented by: Dr Wei-Sen Lam, Medical Oncologist, WA Country Health Service
Prostate Cancer GP Education Video
Presented by: Dr Matthew Brown, Urologist, Fiona Stanley Hospital and Perth Urology Clinic
Resources for Aboriginal Health Professionals
Aboriginal Health Professionals
Cancer Council WA has a number of education initiatives and resources for Aboriginal health professionals.
Resources for Patients, Waiting Rooms and Consult Rooms
Cancer Education Video
This video is cartoon style and was created for Aboriginal health workers or other health professionals who work closely with Aboriginal people.
Bulk Resource Order Form - WA Orders
Order FREE Find Cancer Early checklists and other resources for your home, work or your local health or community centre. Simply download the PDF, complete the form and return to Cancer Council WA via the email or postal address listed at the top of the form. This form is for Western Australian orders only.
Find Cancer Early: A Guide for GPs - Resource Order Form
Order the Find Cancer Early: A guide for General Practitioners resource. Electronic copy provided above and a six page folded card version can be ordered via the resource order form.
Find Cancer Early Brochure
This brochure lists the symptoms of common cancers affecting Western Australians: lung, breast, prostate, bowel and skin and what to do if you notice a symptom. This is a six page DL Flyer.
Find Cancer Early Checklist A4 Poster - General Design
This checklist contains general early symptoms of the five most common cancers affecting Western Australians: prostate, breast, bowel, lung and skin cancer including melanoma. This poster is A4 size.
Find Cancer Early Checklist A3 Poster - General Design
This checklist contains general early symptoms of the five most common cancers affecting Western Australians: prostate, breast, bowel, lung and skin cancer including melanoma. This poster is A3 size.
Find Cancer Early Checklist Flyer - General Design
This checklist contains general early symptoms of the five most common cancers affecting Western Australians: prostate, breast, bowel, lung and skin cancer including melanoma. This flyer is DL size (1/3 of A4 size).
Find Cancer Early Checklist A4 Poster - Aboriginal Design
This checklist contains general early symptoms of the five most common cancers affecting Western Australians: prostate, breast, bowel, lung and skin cancer including melanoma. This poster is A4 size.
Find Cancer Early Checklist A3 Poster- Aboriginal Design
This checklist contains general early symptoms of the five most common cancers affecting Western Australians: prostate, breast, bowel, lung and skin cancer including melanoma. This poster is A3 size.
Find Cancer Early Checklist Flyer - Aboriginal Design
This checklist contains general early symptoms of the five most common cancers affecting Western Australians: prostate, breast, bowel, lung and skin cancer including melanoma. This flyer is DL size (1/3 of A4 size).